Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1494346
MARCH 2023 I DESIGN007 MAGAZINE 15 optimal layout? With chips like DC-to-DC converters, there is a specific way to lay them out properly, and that information may not always be in the datasheets. Matties: What's your priority on training? I'm an EE at a small company; it's very sel- dom that I have a lot of free time just for doing research, so I try to do it on my own time. Even before I start the schematic, I like to go in depth with all the information that I have avail- able. I would say I spend at least a week doing research and getting familiar with the parts so I can understand how they're supposed to work within the system that I'm designing. Matties: You've been in your career for a few years. What is the best piece of advice, either tribal knowledge or otherwise, that you've been given? e best advice I've had is to take a step back and look at the problem from a different perspective. Here's an example: Recently, we were working on a design, a n d w e h a d a l l t h e p a r t s picked out, but halfway through we realized that we were fitting the design around the parts that we had chosen rather than making sure the design was right. We were so blinded by these new devices that we thought would be really good for our project, only to realize we were compensating on the design to use these specific parts; generally, that's not a great practice. So, it's good to take a step back and see if you're fulfilling the requirements for the project you're working on and not the other way around. Matties: So, how did you choose this career? What was so appealing about it? When I was younger, I liked science and elec- tronics, and it seemed like a natural path for- ward. I studied electrical engineering as an undergrad. I realized that with engineering I could use it to help people all over the world by making life-changing devices. When I started out at Happiest Baby, PCB design was part of the job. Working here has allowed me to learn a lot more about PCB design and run with it and be creative. It's been a great opportunity and I'm really grateful for it. I still get to do the hands-on part of engineer- ing: designing, testing, and troubleshooting, which I also very much enjoy. I get to focus on design problems, like the best way to lay out a board, or how to get the design to do exactly what we need. Matties: Do you have any advice for new designers who may be sorting through tribal knowledge? Don't do something just because someone told you that it's the right thing to do. Make sure that you understand why it's the right thing to do. Matties: That's really good advice. You'll still make mis- takes; I'm not perfect by any means. I definitely have made my share of mi stake s. But mistakes are okay. Learn from them and try not to make the same one again. Shaughnessy: This has been great, Tamara. Thank you. ank you. I enjoyed it. DESIGN007 Don't do something just because someone told you that it's the right thing to do.